Tackling Numbers Shortlisted For A Sports Marketing 360 Award

Premiership Rugby and MBNA's ground-breaking Tackling Numbers programme has been shortlisted for an award at the Sports Marketing 360 Awards in the "Making a Difference" category.

The Awards sees Premiership Rugby up against a host of international projects with the winners selected by you, the winners are selected by public vote and will be announced following Sports Marketing 360 on September 27th at BT centre in London.

Tackling Numbers is an interactive numeracy programme for young children, developed and delivered by Premiership Rugby in partnership with MBNA. The five week programme aims to teach 8-9 year olds the importance of number skills in everyday life.

The rugby-themed programme is delivered in schools by representatives from all 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs, through both classroom sessions and practical number-based rugby games.

This innovative and engaging programme makes learning about numbers fun, exciting and rewarding. It also inspires children to both improve their numeracy skills and their physical health.

In the 2010-11 academic year the programme reached 8,400 children in 280 schools within 14 regions across England.

The schools also received a lasting legacy of equipment including a Teacher Resource pack containing all the programme content, access to an online information resource, and tag rugby equipment so that the school can continue to play.

Wayne Morris, Head of Community at Premiership Rugby, said:

"It's fantastic news that Tackling Numbers has been shortlisted for this prestigious award and hope that the rugby public will come out and support it by voting.

"Rugby has long been seen as a social game that unites and brings people from all over the world together. In more recent years rugby's ability to engage with children is being used to transcend into the classroom.

"The Tackling Numbers Programme in partnership with MBNA utilises the power of rugby to promote the understanding and learning of numeracy in a fun and enjoyable way. The classroom sessions are supported by practical PE sessions that unite an active mind with an active body."

John Greaves, Corporate Communications Director for MBNA, said:

"We have been thrilled with the success of the Tackling Numbers programme and with the positive feedback it has received. The power of sport, combined with creative social and community programmes, can deliver fantastic results and give children memorable experiences to last them a lifetime.

"We believe it is important to equip young people with the knowledge and tools to help them manage their money in the future. Engaging them in mathematics in a practical and enjoyable way, with some of the stars of English rugby, allows us to provide a foundation for good financial literacy in adulthood."

Programme Stats

77.4% of teachers thought that an improvement in students attitude to maths/numeracy was shown after the programme

Fly-half Billy Burns was named Man of the Match after the 35-14 European Rugby Challenge Cup victory over Stade Rochelais on Thursday evening, and was full of praise for all his team mates for the win after a short turnaround.

Gloucester have been in good form in recent weeks, but Backs Coach Tim Taylor knows that the Cherry and Whites will have to be at their best on Thursday evening (kick off 7:45pm) against a Stade Rochelais side flying high this season.

Speaking to GRTV after the bonus point win over Bristol, back row Lewis Ludlow revealed that despite a tricky first half, Gloucester backed their skills to come through, a faith that was evident in a strong second half showing.

Willi Heinz scored Gloucester's second try as the Cherry and Whites overturned a disappointing first 40 minutes and 0-6 half time deficit, to earn a 26-18 Aviva Premiership victory over Bristol Rugby on Saturday.

Gloucester's much changed side had to overcome conceding an early try on Thursday evening, but responded in style to down Stade Rochelais by 35 points to 14 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup and set up a mouthwatering return fixture next weekend.

After taking 11 points from their last three games in the Aviva Premiership, including bonus point wins against Wasps and Bristol, Gloucester will be looking to continue their good form when they welcome La Rochelle to Kingsholm.